Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-08-20

Nskc8c~NI d lew SliHl-Hl tHdHS-c
upon which Henry
of New York 1t decleres that the political
and economic ills from which the country is
suffering are the result of the neglect of the
'self-ev'dent truth that all men are created
equal, and as remedy for these ills pro-
poses the abolition of the system which com
pels men to pay their fellow creatures for the
Use of Gods gifts to all, - and permits monop-
oily to deprive labor of employment, whereby
the land Is filed with paupers and tramps,
and the producer made the slave of "those
who grow rich by his toll"
II is further declared that "tha advantages
arising from social growth and improve
ment belong TO society at large Therefore
the abolition is demanded OF the system that
makes the railways and telegraphs IA means
for the oppression of the people, and the alb
rogation of all laws that give any advantage
10 any class of citizens that are not equally
shared by others The true purpose of gov
eminent is declared to be the giving to every
one opportunity to employ his labor to his
own benefit; to prev ent the strong from OPP
pressing the weak, or the inscriptions from
robbing the honest, and to perform its func-
bl'tIs u the equal b-IfeIlt Ol all
1t further declares that United Labor does
not propose that the state shall control pro
duction or distribution, Interfere in any way
with the laborer or capitalist in the use of
his labor or capital, take possession of the
land to work or rent it, or disturb any man
in his title; but by ~abolishing all taxes on in
dustry or its products, to leave 10 the pro
ducer the free fruits of his eXertioh and by
the taxation of land values. exclusive Of i'm
provements, to devote to common use those
values which, arising not from the eyertlon
OF the individual but from the growth of
society, belong justly to the community as
whole; the said taxation Of land is not to be
according to-area, but IN proportion to value.
thereby relieving the farmer and small owner
of undue burdens and making it impossible
TO hold land for speculation.
While thus abolishing the hories of office-
holders whom the present tax system gives
employment to- the platform says, thus sim
plyfying the government, equal rights are
further to be secured by government owner
ship of all agencies in their nature mono
poles This includes municipal ownership of
the water, lighting, and heating systems;
government ownership of railroads and tele-
graph, postal savings banks, and government
issue of all money without the intervention of
banks controlled by private citizens.
The platform also advocates laws regulat-
ing the hours OF labor by reducing them,
controlling the employment of children and
the competition of convict labor with free
labor, inspection for sanitary purposes Of
tenements mines and factories and to stop
the abuse Of the conspiracy laws. 1t Is also
desired to simplify Judicial procedure so as
10 make the poor equal TO the rich before the
courts in point OF ability to prosecute their
causes
The last PARAGRAPH of the document urges
the adoption Of tue Australian method of bal
Ioting, So as to guard effectuaIiv the secrecy
of the ballot and by that means prevent
bribery and intimidation and relieve candi-
dates for office from the heavy burdens i'm
posed upon them
The minority report, signed by A r. Lev
ersOn and j. H. QuInlan, objected to the
above because it brought In matters of sec
| ondarv Importance upon which there was
wide divergence of opinion and left out prin-
ciples of great consequence. But the maior
ity report was almost unanimously adopted
without division. and the convention pro-
ceeded to nominate candidates for the state
ticket
The principal difference between the plat
form adopted and the Clarendon hall utter
ance Is in the addition of that paragraph
against Socialism IN which it is explained
that the party does not propose to have the
state control any business, but simply to
take for public purposes the rental value i'm
parted to land 10y the presence and industry
of the public, and not by private exertions
or industry
A number of resolutions were reported by
the committee on resolutions as worthy of
consideration. One calls for national con-
ference on the labor question: and the others
contain demands for labor legislation and
similar reforms. These were adopted but a
resolution to repeal the boycott laws was
rejected as Henry George opposed it on the
ground that the convention should not branch
out too much on side issues and take action
that might not be well considered in the haste
of the moment A resolution of sympathy
with Ireland was adopted
Henry George and John r. O'DOnnell were
named for state secretary. the former protest
ing that he did not desire the honor, but say
ing that he was at the service of the party
His nomination was insisted upon and carried
with a rush and much cheering ODnunell
escoted George to the platform amid great
cheering, and he made a speech saying that
he did not wish the nomination bot if tine
party thought it would do any good for him
| to run he would do 10 and help the movement
along all he could Dir. McGlynn made q
| speech supporting the nomination. DR.. Pente
cost also spoke. There was much enthusiasm
| Victor A Wilder of BrGome was nominated
| for state comptroller by reclamation: P H
| Cummings. of Amsterdam for state treas
urer; Dennis Feeley, of Rochester, for at
torney general, and Sylvanus II. Sweet, Of
| Albany, for state engineer.
| a resolution that Socialists would be adj
mitted to the party if they renowned their
own organization was ruled out on a point of
order that the platform was the test of mem
! bership state committee was then ap
pointed, DR.. McGlynn being one of the mem
bers 1t was resolved that no member of the
party could he member of any other party
| a vote of thanks TO the press for its far
ness in reporting the convention WIS passed
with an amendment excluding The New YorE
| Times on account Of its 'infamous lies" about
the party and its proceedings. Before the
convention adjourned 0'Donnell took occa
| sion to state that be was not Socialist
though he pad been supported by that fac
ton. The convention adjourhed with cheers
for the ticket, and especially Henry George
Socialists Preparing Red Paint.
NEW YORK, Aug 20-The Socialists o
this city are determined to have it out witt
Henry George. and have engaged Coope
union for Monday night to begin an on
slaught upon him Editor Fergus, E. Shev
itch. Lawrence Groonlundt, and George q
Block got back to town Friday THE pres
eut outlook is that the Socialists will not vot.
at all III the election, but will in the campaign
do all they can to show up the hollow pre-
lenses of the United Labor party" sail
Editor Shevitch Friday night.
The Kaiser Has "A Fresh Cold.
BERLIN, Aug. 2n.-An official bulletin an
nounces that the emperor has contracted
fresh cold through the sudden change in tn
state of the weather. His chief symptom
are occasional rheumatic pains.
The Lords Adopt the Land Bill.
| IONDoN Aug. 2O-The house of lords ha